Institut fédéral de recherches sur la forêt, la neige et le paysage WSL

Main research interests: Local adaptation, landscape genomics, population genomics, and population genetics of alpine plants and forest trees.

I am scientific staff member and senior researcher in research group Ecological Genetics and involved in various projects dealing with environmental adaptation of plants. We are interested if and how plants are genetically adapted to local environmental conditions, and how species and populations will deal with ongoing and future habitat alterations like climate change or heavy-metal contamination.

ISI publications

ISI Publications

Web of Science //  Google Scholar  //  ResearchGate

  • Budde, Rellstab, Heuertz, Gugerli, Hanika, Verdú, Pausa &  González-Martínez (in press): Divergent selection in a Mediterranean pine on local spatial scales. Journal of Ecology. DOI: 10.1111/1365-2745.14231
  • Reutimann, Dauphin, Baltensweiler, Gugerli, Kremer & Rellstab, 2023: Abiotic factors predict taxonomic composition and genetic admixture in populations of hybridizing white oak species (Quercus spp.) at regional scale. Tree Genetics & Genomes 19: 22. DOI: 10.1007/s11295-023-01598-7

  • Dauphin, Rellstab, Wüest, Karger, Holderegger, Manel & Gugerli, 2023: Re-thinking the environment in landscape genomics. Invited review. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 38:3. DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.10.010

  • Kersten, Rellstab, Schröder, Brodbeck, Fladung, Kritovsky & Gugerli, 2022: The mitochondrial genome sequence of Abies alba Mill. reveals a high structural and combinatorial variation. BMC Genomics 23:776. DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08993-9

  • Fonti, Rellstab & Martínez-Sancho, 2022: Deciphering “time to hydraulic failure” to select drought-resistant tree provenances. Invited commentary. Tree Physiology 42: 704-707. DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpac010

  • Neophytou, Heer, Milesi, Peter, Pyhäjärvi, Westergren, Rellstab* & Gugerli*, 2022: Genomics and adaptation in forest ecosystems. Meeting review. Tree Genetics & Genomes 18: 12. DOI:10.1007/s11295-022-01542-1 (*shared last authorship)
  • Opgenoorth & Rellstab, 2021: Tackling the challenges of evolutionary forest research with multi-data approaches. Invited News and Views article. Molecular Ecology 30: 3893–3895. DOI: 10.1111/mec.16031
  • Rellstab, Dauphin & Exposito-Alonso, 2021: Prospects and limitations of genomic offset in conservation management. Invited perspective. Evolutionary Applications 14: 1202-1212. DOI: 10.1111/eva.13205
  • Martínez-Sancho, Rellstab, Guillaume, Bigler, Fonti, Wohlgemuth, & Vitasse, 2021: Post-glacial re-colonization and natural selection have shaped growth responses of silver fir across Europe. Science of the Total Environment 779: 146393. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146393
  • Opgenoorth, Dauphin, Benavides, Heer, Alizoti, Martínez-Sancho, Alía, Ambrosio, Audrey, Auñón, Avanzi, Avramidou, Bagnoli, Barbas, Bastias, Bastien, Ballesteros, Beffa, Bernier, Bignalet, Bodineau, Bouic, Brodbeck, Brunetto, Buchovska, Buy, Cabanillas-Saldaña, Carvalho, Cheval, Climent, Correard, Cremer, Danusevičius, Del Caño, Denou, di Gerardi, Dokhelar, Ducousso, Alexis, Eskild Nilsen, Farsakoglou, Fonti, Ganopoulos, García del Barrio, Gilg, Gonzalez-Martinez, Graf, Gray, Grivet, Gugerli, Hartleitner, Hollenbach, Hurel, Issehut, Jean, Jorge, Jouineau, Kappner, Kärkkäinen, Kesälahti, Knutzen, Kujala, Kumpula, Labriola, Lalanne, Lambertz, Lascoux, Lejeune, Le-Provost, Levillain, Liesebach, López-Quiroga, Meier, Malliarou, Marchon, Mariotte, Mas, Matesanz, Meischner, Michotey, Milesi, Morganti, Nievergelt, Notivol, Ostreng, Pakull, Perry, Piotti, Plomion, Poinot, Pringarbe, Puzos, Pyhäjärvi, Raffin, Ramírez-Valiente, Rellstab, Remi, Richter, Robledo-Arnuncio, San Segundo, Savolainen, Schneck, Scotti, Semerikov, Slámová, Sønstebø, Spanu, Thevenet, Tollefsrud, Turion, Vendramin, Villar, Von Arx, Westin, Fady, Myking, Valladares, Aravanopoulos & Cavers, 2021: The GenTree Platform: growth traits and tree-level environmental data in twelve European forest tree species. GigaScience 10: giab010. DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giab010
  • Dauphin, Rellstab, Schmid, Zoller, Karger, Brodbeck, Guillaume & Gugerli, 2021: Genomic vulnerability to rapid climate warming in a tree species with long generation time, 2021. Global Change Biology 27: 1181-1195. DOI:10.1111/gcb.15469
  • Benavides, Carvalho, Bastias, López-Quiroga, Mas, Cavers, Gray, Albet, Alía, Ambrosio, Aravanopoulos, Auñón, Avanzi, Avramidou, Bagnoli, Ballesteros, Barbas, Bastien, Bernier, Bignalet, Bouic, Brunetto, Buchovska, Cabanillas- Saldaña, Cheval, Climent, Correard, Cremer, Danusevičius, Dauphin, Del Caño, Denou, Dokhelar, Dourthe, Farsakoglou, Feras, Fonti, Ganopoulos, García del Barrio, Gilg, Gonzalez-Martinez, Graf, Grivet, Gugerli, Hartleitner, Heer, Hollenbach, Hurel, Issehuth, Jean, Jorge, Jouineau, Kappner, Kärkkäinen, Kesälahti, Knutzen, Kujala, Kumpula, Labriola, Lalanne, Lambertz, Lascoux, Le Provost, Liesebach, Malliarou, Marchon, Mariotte, Martínez-Sancho, Matesanz, Meischner, Michotey, Milesi, Morganti, Myking, Nilsen, Notivol, Opgenoorth, Østreng, Pakull, Piotti, Plomion, Poinot, Pringarbe, Puzos, Pyhäjärvi, Raffin, Ramírez-Valiente, Rellstab, Richter, Robledo- Arnuncio, San Segundo, Savolainen, Schneck, Schueler, Scotti, Semerikov, Sønstebø, Spanu, Thevenet, Tollefsrud, Turion, Vendramin, Villar, Westin, Fady & Valladares, 2021: The GenTree Leaf Collection: inter- and intraspecific leaf variation in seven forest tree species in Europe. Global Ecology and Biogeography 30: 590-597. DOI:10.1111/geb.13239
  • Rellstab, 2021: Genomics helps to predict maladaptation to climate change. Invited News and Views article. Nature Climate Change 11: 85-86. DOI:10.1038/s41558-020-00964-w
  • Rellstab, Zoller, Sailer, Tedder, Gugerli, Shimizu, Holderegger, Widmer & Fischer, 2020: Genomic signatures of convergent adaptation to Alpine environments in three Brassicaceae species. Molecular Ecology 29: 4350-4365. DOI: 10.1111/mec.15648

  • Fady, Aravanopoulos, Benavides, González-Martínez, Grivet, Lascoux, Lindner, Rellstab, Valladares & Vinceti, 2020: Genetics to the rescue: managing forests sustainably in a changing world. Tree Genetics & Genomes 16: 80. DOI: 10.1007/s11295-020-01474-8

  • Holderegger, Schmidt, Grünig, Meier, Csencsics, Gassner, Rellstab & Stapfer, 2020: Ready-to-use workflows for the implementation of genetic tools in conservation management. Conservation Genetics Resources 12: 691-700. DOI: 10.1007/s12686-020-01165-5

  • Dauphin, Wüest, Brodbeck, Zoller, Fischer, Holderegger, Gugerli & Rellstab, 2020: Disentangling the effects of geographic peripherality and habitat suitability on neutral and adaptive genetic variation in Swiss stone pine. Molecular Ecology 29: 1972-1989. DOI: 10.1111/mec.15467
  • Bose, Moser, Rigling, Lehman, Milcu, Peter, Rellstab, Wohlgemuth & Gessler, 2020: Memory of environmental conditions across generations affects the acclimation potential of Scots pine. Plant, Cell & Environment 43: 1288-1299. DOI: 10.1111/pce.13729
  • Reutimann, Gugerli & Rellstab, 2020: A species-discriminatory SNP set reveals maintenance of species integrity in hybridizing European white oaks (Quercus spp.) despite high levels of admixture. Annals of Botany 125: 663-676. DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcaa001

  • Waldvogel, Feldmeyer, Rolshausen, Exposito-Alonso, Rellstab, Kofler, Mock, Schmid, Schmitt, Bataillon, Savolainen, Bergland, Flatt, Guillaume & Pfenninger, 2020: Evolutionary genomics can improve prediction of species responses to climate change. Evolution Letters 4:4-18. DOI: 10.1002/evl3.154

  • Martínez-Sancho, Mateju, Morganti, Grefen, Carvalho, Dauphin, Rellstab, Gugerli, Opgenoorth, Heer, Knutzen, von Arx, Valladares, Cavers, Fady, Alía, Aravanopoulos, Avanzi, Bagnoli, Barbas, Bastien, Benavides, Bernier, Bodineau, Bastias, Charpentier, Climent, Corréard, Courdier, Danusevicius, Farsakoglou, García del Barrio, Gilg, González-Martínez, Gray, Hartleitner, Hurel, Jouineau, Kärkkäinen, Kujala, Labriola, Lascoux, Lefebvre, Lejeune, Le-Provost, Liesebach, Malliarou, Mariotte, Matesanz, Michotey, Milesi, Myking, Notivol, Pakull, Piotti, Plomion, Pringarbe, Pyhäjärvi, Raffin, Ramírez-Valiente, Ramskogler, Robledo-Arnuncio, Savolainen, Schueler, Semerikov, Spanu, Thévenet, Tollefsrud, Turion, Veisse, Vendramin, Villar, Westin & Fonti, 2020: The GenTree Dendroecological Collection: tree-ring and wood density data from seven tree species across Europe. Scientific Data 7: 1. DOI: 10.1038/s41597-019-0340-y
  • Mosca, Cruz, Gómez Garrido, Bianco, Rellstab, Brodbeck, Csilléry, Fady, Fladung, Fussi, Gömöry, González-Martínez, Grivet, Hansen, Heer, Kaya, Krutovsky, Kersten, Liepelt, Opgenoorth, Sperisen, Ullrich, Vendramin, Westergren, Ziegenhagen, Alioto, Gugerli, Heinze, Höhn, Troggio & Neale, 2019: A reference genome sequence for the European silver fir (Abies alba Mill.): a community-generated genomic resource. G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics 9: 2039-2049. DOI: 10.1534/g3.119.400083
  • Rellstab, Dauphin, Zoller, Brodbeck & Gugerli (2019): Using transcriptome sequencing and pooled exome capture to study local adaptation in the giga-genome of Pinus cembra. Molecular Ecology Resources 8: 536-551. DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.12986
  • Sailer, Babst-Kostecka, Fischer, Zoller, Widmer, Vollenweider, Gugerli & Rellstab, 2018: Transmembrane transport and stress response genes play an important role in adaptation of Arabidopsis halleri to metalliferous soils. Scientific Reports 8, 16085. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-33938-2
  • Csilléry, Rodríguez-Verdugo, Rellstab & Guillaume, 2018. Detecting the genomic signal of polygenic adaptation and the role of epistasis in evolution. Meeting Review. Molecular Ecology 27: 606-612. DOI: 10.1111/mec.1449
  • Tsykun, Rellstab, Dutech, Sipos & Prospero, 2017: Comparative assessment of SSR and SNP markers for inferring the population genetic structure of the common fungus Armillaria cepistipes. Heredity 119: 371-380. DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2017.48
  • Rellstab, Fischer, Zoller, Graf, Tedder, Shimizu, Widmer, Holderegger & Gugerli, 2017: Local adaptation (mostly) remains local – Re-assessing environmental associations of climate-related candidate SNPs in Arabidopsis halleri. Heredity 118: 193-201. DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2016.82
  • Fischer, Rellstab, Leuzinger, Roumet, Gugerli, Shimizu, Holderegger & Widmer, 2017: Estimating genomic diversity and population differentiation – an empirical comparison of microsatellite and SNP variation in Arabidopsis halleri. BMC Genomics 18: 69. DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-3459-7
  • Rellstab, Zoller, Walthert, Lesur, Pluess, Graf, Bodénès, Sperisen, Kremer & Gugerli, 2016: Signatures of local adaptation in candidate genes of oaks (Quercus spp.) in respect to present and future climatic conditions. Molecular Ecology 25: 5907-5924. DOI: 10.1111/mec.13889
  • Rellstab, Bühler, Graf, Folly & Gugerli, 2016: Using joint multivariate analyses of leaf morphology and molecular-genetic markers for taxon identification in three hybridizing European white oak species (Quercus spp.). Annals of Forest Science 73: 669-679. DOI: 10.1007/s13595-016-0552-7
  • Seppälä, Louhi, Karvonen, Rellstab & Jokela, 2015: Relative reproductive success of co-infecting parasite genotypes under intensified within-host competition. Infection, Genetics and Evolution 36: 450-455. DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2015.08.015
  • Rellstab, Gugerli, Eckert, Hancock & Holderegger, 2015: A practical guide to environmental association analysis in landscape genomics. Invited review. Molecular Ecology 24: 4348-4370. DOI: 10.1111/mec.13322
  • Rellstab, Zoller, Tedder, Gugerli & Fischer, 2013: Validation of SNP allele frequencies determined by pooled next-generation sequencing in natural populations of a non-model plant species. PLoS ONE 8: e80422. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0080422
  • Fischer, Rellstab, Tedder, Zoller, Gugerli, Shimizu, Holderegger & Widmer, 2013: Population genomic footprints of selection and associations with climate in natural populations of Arabidopsis halleri from the Alps. Molecular Ecology 22: 5594–5607. DOI: 10.1111/mec.12521
  • Rellstab, Karvonen, Louhi & Jokela, 2013: Genotype-specific vs. cross-reactive host immunity against a macroparasite. PLoS ONE 8: e78427. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0078427
  • Louhi, Karvonen, Rellstab & Jokela, 2013: Genotypic and phenotypic variation in transmission traits of a complex life cycle parasite. Ecology & Evolution 3: 2116-2127. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.621
  • Karvonen, Kristjánsson, Skúlason, Lanki, Rellstab & Jokela, 2013: Water temperature, not fish morph, determines parasite infections of sympatric Icelandic threespine sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus). Ecology & Evolution 3: 1507-1517. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.568
  • Louhi, Karvonen, Rellstab, Louhi & Jokela, 2013: Prevalence of infection as a predictor of multiple genotype infection frequency in parasites with multiple-host life cycle. Journal of Animal Ecology 82: 191-200. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2012.02028.x
  • Seppälä, Karvonen, Rellstab, Louhi & Jokela, 2012: Reciprocal interaction matrix reveals complex genetic and dose-dependent specificity among co-infecting parasites. American Naturalist 180: 306-315. DOI: 10.1086/666985
  • Karvonen, Rellstab, Louhi & Jokela, 2012: Synchronous attack is advantageous – mixed genotype infections lead to higher infection success in trematode parasites. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 279: 171-176. DOI:10.1098/rspb.2011.0879
  • Wirth, Girardclos, Rellstab & Anselmetti, 2011: The sedimentary response to a pioneer geo-engineering project: Tracking the Kander River deviation in the sediments of Lake Thun (Switzerland). Sedimentology 58: 1737-1761. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3091.2011.01237.x
  • Rellstab, Louhi, Karvonen & Jokela, 2011: Analysis of trematode parasite communities in fish eye lenses by pyrosequencing of naturally pooled DNA. Infection, Genetics, Evolution 11: 1276-1286. DOI:10.1016/j.meegid.2011.04.018
  • Rellstab, Keller, Girardclos, Anselmetti & Spaak, 2011: Anthropogenic eutrophication shapes the past and present taxonomic composition of hybridizing Daphnia in unproductive lakes. Limnology & Oceanography 56: 292-302. DOI:  10.4319/lo.2011.56.1.0292
  • Louhi, Karvonen, Rellstab & Jokela, 2010: Is the population genetic structure of complex life cycle parasites determined by the geographic range of the most motile host? Infection, Genetics and Evolution 10: 1271-1277. DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2010.08.013
  • Rellstab & Spaak, 2009: Lake origin determines Daphnia population growth under winter conditions. Journal of Plankton Research. 31: 261-271. DOI: 10.1093/plankt/fbn120
  • Filella, Rellstab, Chanudet & Spaak, 2008: Effect of the filter feeder Daphnia on the inorganic colloid particle size distributions in freshwaters. Water Research 42: 1919-1924. DOI:10.1016/j.watres.2007.11.021
  • Rellstab & Spaak, 2007. Starving with a full gut? Effect of suspended particles on the fitness of Daphnia hyalina. Hydrobiologia 2007 594: 131-139. DOI: 10.1007/s10750-007-9089-y
  • Müller, Breitenstein, Bia, Rellstab & Kirchhofer, 2007. Bottom-up control of whitefish populations in ultra-oligotrophic Lake Brienz. Aquatic Sciences 69: 271-288. DOI: 10.1007/s00027-007-0874-5
  • Rellstab, Maurer, Zeh, Bürgi & Spaak, 2007. Temporary collapse of the Daphnia population in turbid and ultra-oligotrophic Lake Brienz. Aquatic Sciences 69: 257-270. DOI: 10.1007/s00027-007-0872-7
  • Anselmetti, Bühler, Finger, Girardclos, Lancini, Rellstab & Sturm, 2007. Effects of Alpine hydropower dams on particle transport and lacustrine sedimentation. Aquatic Sciences 69: 179-198. DOI: 10.1007/s00027-007-0875-4
  • Rellstab, Bürgi & Müller, 2004. Population regulation in coregonids: the significance of zooplankton concentration for larval mortality. Annales Zoologici Fennici 41: 281-290. Link PDF

Outreach

Outreach publications

  • Rellstab, Reutimann, Graf & Horisberger, 2023: Vergleich von Feldschlüssel und Genetik bei der Artbestimmung von Eichen. Schweizerische Zeitung für Forstwesen, 174: 138-145.

  • Gugerli, Brodbeck, Bebi, Bollmann, Dauphin, Gossner, Krumm, Peter, Queloz, Reiss, Rellstab, Stofer, von Arx, Wasem & Zweifel, 2022: Swiss stone pine - portrait of a mountain forest tree. WSL Fact sheet: 72,16 p. DOI: 10.55419/wsl:32467

  • Gugerli, Brodbeck, Bebi, Bollmann, Dauphin, Gossner, Krumm, Peter, Queloz, Reiss, Rellstab, Stofer, von Arx, Wasem & Zweifel, 2022: Die Arve – Portrait eines Gebirgswaldbaums. WSL Merkblatt für die Praxis: 72,16 p. DOI: 10.55419/wsl:31959

  • Gugerli, Brodbeck, Bebi, Bollmann, Dauphin, Gossner, Krumm, Peter, Queloz, Reiss, Rellstab, Stofer, von Arx, Wasem & Zweifel, 2022: L’arole – portrait d’un montagnard. WSL Notice pour le praticien: 72,16 p. DOI: 10.55419/wsl:31960

  • Gugerli, Folly, Kramer, Brodbeck, Graf, Csilléry, Opgenoorth, Sperisen, Martínez-Sancho & Rellstab, 2022: Dank genetischer Vielfalt ist die Weisstanne fit für die Zukunft. Wald und Holz: 11/22, 11–14.
  • Gugerli, Folly, Kramer, Brodbeck, Graf, Csilléry, Opgenoorth, Sperisen, Martínez-Sancho & Rellstab, 2022: Grâce à la diversité génétique, le sapin est prêt pour l’avenir. La Forêt: 11/22, 9–12.
  • Bonfils, Horisberger, Ayé, Junod, Tiefenbacher, Pleines, Studhalter & Rellstab, 2020: Eiche fördern, heisst Eiche kennen. Bündner Wald 73, 06/2020, 8-13. PDF
  • Reutimann, Gugerli & Rellstab, 2020: Genetische Fingerabdrücke zur Bestimmung von Eichenarten. Wald und Holz: 101. 21-25. PDF
  • Reutimann, Gugerli & Rellstab, 2020: L’empreinte génétique – un outil d’identification de l’espèce et du taux de mélange des chênes indigènes. La Forêt: 73, 14-17. PDF
  • Rellstab, Fischer, Csencsics, Gugerli, & Holderegger, R., 2017: Bedeutung der lokalen Anpassung in der Naturschutzgenetik. WSL Bericht 60: 31-37. PDF
  • Gugerli & Rellstab, 2017. Genetische Forschung mit Misoxer Nadelbäumen. Terra Grischuna 1/2017: 28-31. PDF
  • Gugerli, Frank, Rellstab, Pluess, Moser, Arend, Sperisen, Wohlgemuth & Heiri, 2016: Genetische Variation und lokale Anpassung bei Waldbaumarten im Zeichen des Klimawandels. In: Pluess A.R., Augustin S. & P. Brang (Red.) Wald im Klimawandel. Grundlagen für Adaptationsstrategien. Bundesamt für Umwelt BAFU, Bern; Eidg. Forschungsanstalt WSL, Birmensdorf; Haupt, Bern, Stuttgart, Wien. 93-113. PDF
  • Gugerli, Frank, Rellstab, Pluess, Moser, Arend, Sperisen, Wohlgemuth & Heiri, 2016: Variation génétique et adaptation locale des essences forestières sous le signe de changements climatiques. Dans: Pluess A.R., Augustin S. & P. Brang (Réd.) Forêts et changements climatiques. Éléments pour des stratégies d‘adaptation. Office fédérale de l‘environnement OFEV, Berne, Institut fédéral de recherches WSL, Birmensdorf. Haupt, Berne, Stuttgart, Vienne. 97-117. PDF
  • Rellstab, Pluess & Gugerli, 2016: Lokale Anpassung bei Waldbaumarten: genetische Prozesse und Bedeutung im Klimawandel. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Forstwesen. 167: 333–340. DOI: 10.3188/szf.2016.0333
  • Jordi, Wüest, Bürgi, Müller, Jakob, Huggenberger, Bossard, Finger, Jaun, Rellstab, Spaak, Sturm, Breitenstein, Kirchhofer, Filella, Zeh, 2006. Brienzersee: Ein Ökosystem unter der Lupe. Public brochure. PDF

About our science (selection)

  • Waldwissen, 2023: Swiss Stone Pine – Portrait of a Mountain Forest Tree. English German French
  • WSL Diagonal, 2022: "Quo vadis, Flora?" ". English Deutsch Français
  • WSLintern, 2021: "Wie alt ist mein Weihnachtsbaum?" PDF (Deutsch)
  • WSL News (Webpage), 2021: "Studying trees' genetic material to make forests climate-smart". English Deutsch Français Italiano
  • TV Canal9, 2021: Die Arve in Bedrängnis
  • Tiroler Zeitung, 2021: "Zieht sich die Königin der Alpen zurück?". Newspaper article about Pinus cembra climate adaptation. PDF (German)
  • Bündner Zeitung Südostschweiz, 2021: "Für die «Königin der Alpen» wird die Luft dünn". Newspaper article about Pinus cembra climate adaptation. PDF (German)
  • WSL Diagonal, 2020: "Which genes make trees fit for climate change? Annual rings provide a key". PDF: English Deutsch Français
  • WSL News (Webpage), 2019: "Silver fir genome decoded: A tree species for the forest of the future". English Deutsch Français
  • Wald und Holz, 2019: "Kresse hat sich genetisch an schwermetall-verseuchte Böden angepasst". PDF (German)
  • Laborjournal, 2019: "Überleben in Polen". PDF (German)
  • WSL News (Webpage), 2018: "Specific genes protect cress plants from heavy metals". English Deutsch Français
  • Diploma thesis by Diana Coman in Advanced Studies in Applied Statistics, ETH Zürich, 2017: "Machine Learning Assisted Species Assignment in Oak Trees". Re-analysis of our morphological and genetic oak data. PDF (English)
  • ProQuercus Newsletter 2/2016: "Genetische Marker unterstützen die Arterkennung" Deutsch Français
  • WSL Diagonal, 2016: "Oak or oak? Genetics assists with species identification". PDF: English Deutsch Français
  • The Molecular Ecologist (Blog), 2015: "Environmental association analyses: a practical guide for a practical guide". Link (English)
  • Jahresbuch Uferschutzverband Thuner- und Brienzersee, 2014. "Sogar die Flöhe sind im Brienzersee einmalig". PDF (Deutsch)
  • SNF – Horizonte, 2014. "Für immer verlorene Vielfalt". PDF (Deutsch)
  • Academia News Mettler-Toledo, 2007. "UMX2 Micro Balance to Determine Fitness of Daphnia". PDF (English)
  • On the cover of TREE (Trends in Ecology & Evolution), 2006. JPG

Outreach projects

Radio interviews

  • "Anpassungsfähigkeit – Insekten reagieren extrem schnell auf Klima-Veränderungen". Forschung aktuell, Deutschlandfunk, 2017.

Blogs

Abstract Books

  • Rellstab, Gugerli & Senn, 2021. Genomics and Adaptation in Forest Ecosystems. Book of Abstracts of the 1st EvolTree Conference. WSL Birmensdorf, Birmensdorf. PDF.

Curriculum vitae

Education and positions

  • 2013-present: Scientific staff member at WSL in Birmensdorf, Switzerland. Appointed senior researcher in November 2016. Permanent position since July 2019.
  • 2011-2013: Post-doctoral researcher at WSL in Birmensdorf, Switzerland
  • 2008-2011: Post-doctoral researcher, Centre of Excellence in Evolutionary Research, Jyväskylä, Finland
  • 2008: Post-doctoral researcher, Eawag, Dübendorf, Switzerland
  • 2003-2007: PhD Student, Eawag, Dübendorf, Switzerland and ETH, Zürich, Switzerland. Collaborator in the interdisciplinary "Lake Brienz Project".
  • 2002: Fish biologist, Eawag, Kastanienbaum, Switzerland
  • 2000-2002: IT specialist, Department of Architecture, ETH, Switzerland.
  • 1999: Diploma work, Eawag, Kastanienbaum, Switzerland
  • 1997: Co-worker in the project “Mediterranean” of the Swiss Ornithological Institute in Mallorca, Spain.
  • 1994-2000: Studying biology at ETH Zürich, Switzerland: Master in systematic and ecological biology, with a degree in natural sciences. Areas of specialization: Biosystematics, marine biology, water ecology, limnology, fish biology/ecology.

Acquired grants

  • WSL internal project (2022): SeedOpt – Optimierung der genetischen Diversität bei der Samenernte bei Eichen / Optimizing genetic diversity in oak seed harvesting. Role: PI.
  • Horizon Europe (2022): OptFORESTS – Harnessing forest genetic resources for increasing options in the face of environmental and societal challenges. Role: Co-PI.
  • WSL internal project (2021): GenDiB — Feasibility study for a new national database on geo-referenced genetic diversity in populations of wild species. Role: Co-PI.
  • WSL internal project (2021): COMMON-ISO  – Unravelling the genetic component of isotope-derived water-use strategies to improve distribution models of sessile oak across Europe. Role: Co-PI.
  • Swiss National Science Foundation Scientific Exchange grant (2021): Genomics and adaptation in forest ccosystems. Role: PI.
  • BiodivERsA (2020): ACORN – Identifying seed sources for highly adaptable oak forests in a changing climate. Role: SNF applicant, Co-PI and Work Package Leader.
  • Swiss Forest Lab (2020): COMMON-RING – Integrating evolutionary responses to improve predictions of species distributions using tree rings from European common gardens. Role: Co-PI.
  • Danish Research Council for Technology and Production (2020): PETRAEA – Oaks in green transition.Role: External collaborator.
  • EVOLTREE Opportunity (2018): OAKID2 – Transferability and phylogenetic extension of species-diagnostic SNP markers in European white oak species. Role: PI.
  • WSL internal project (2018): GENWOOD – Exploring the genomic basis of wood anatomy. Role: PI.
  • Swiss Forest Lab Seed Money Grant (2017): EXTREME-ADAPT – Tolerance and adaptation of tree species to extreme climate events. Role: co-PI.
  • EVOLTREE Conference Grant (2017). Travel contribution for IUFRO conference in Freiburg, Germany. Role: applicant.
  • Swiss National Science Foundation Conference grant (2017): Genomics of Polygenic Adaptation. Role: co-PI.
  • WSL internal project (2016): METALINK – Linking environmental, genomic, and phenotypic information to study the adaptation of Arabidopsis halleri to metal-polluted soils. Role: co-PI.
  • The Foundation for Polish Science, reintegration program, HOMING (2016): Adaptation of Arabidopsis halleri to metal-polluted soils: linking environmental, genomic, and phenotypic information. Role: co-applicant.

Scientific boards & committees

  • IUFRO Working Party 2.04.11 Alpine Forest Genomics – Coordinator (2023-present)

  • Tree Genetics & Genomes – Associate editor (2020-present)

  • Evoltree – Member of the executive committee (2019-present)

  • Alpine Forest Genomics Network (AForGeN) – Member of steering committee (2018-present)

  • IUFRO Working Party 2.04.11 Alpine Forest Genomics – Deputy coordinator (2018-2023)

    • Evoltree Conference 2023 – Member of the scientific committee (2023)
  • External opponent in the PhD defense of Gabriele Nocchi, Queen Mary University & Kew Botanical Gardens, London (2022)
  • Jury member in the PhD defense of Juliette Archambeau, University of Bordeaux (2022)

  • WSL Biodiversity Center – member of the steering committee (2020-2022)

  • Silver Fir Genome Project (SFGP) – head of working group for re-sequencing (2019-2022)
  • GENTREE Final Conference 2020 - Member of the scientific committee (2019-2020)
  • External opponent in the PhD Defense of Francisco Pina-Martins, University of Lisbon (2018)

Selected talks

(most important recent activities)

  • Evoltree Conference 2023, Brasov. Romania. Oral presentation. Rellstab, Acar, Jansen, McNamara, Vitali, Saurer, Neophytou, Kaya & Leigh: Identifying adaptive traits and genes to choose seed sources for climate resilient oak forests.
  • Keynote speaker at the Symposium on Population and Landscape Genomics of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi, 2023, Birmensdorf, Switzerland. Rellstab: Studying adaptation to the local environment – An introduction to landscape genomics.
  • Keynote speaker at the general assembly of the Swiss Forest Lab, 2023, Bern, Switzerland. Rellstab: Lifting borders: Genetic admixture in hybridizing oak (Quercus spp.) species
  • Invited seminar at the Kew Botanical Gardens, 2022, London, UK. Rellstab: Genetic diversity and local adaptation in the giga-genome of Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra) populations.
  • Keynote speaker at the 4th Symposium for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, 2021, Oulu, Finland. Rellstab: Genetic diversity and local adaptation in the giga-genome of Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra) populations.
  • Invited talk at the GDC Symposium, 2021, Zürich, Switzerland. Rellstab, Dauphin, Zoller, Brodbeck & Gugerli: Using pooled exome capture to study genetic diversity and local adaptation in the giga‐genome of Pinus cembra.
  • GenTree Final Conference, 2020, Avignon, France. Oral presentation. Dauphin, Wüest, Brodbeck, Stefan Zoller, Fischer, Holderegger, Gugerli & Rellstab. Geographic and environmental determinants of neutral and adaptive genomic variation in Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra).
  • AForGeN Meeting, 2019, Mont Ventoux, France. Oral presentation. Dauphin, Rellstab, Zoller, Karger, Schmid, Brodbeck, Guillaume & Gugerli: Genomic vulnerability to climate warming in an Alpine tree species (Pinus cembra) with long generation time.
  • AForGeN Meeting, 2018, Kranjska Gora, Slovenia. Oral presentation. Rellstab, Dauphin, Zoller, Brodbeck & Gugerli: Using transcriptome sequencing and exome capture to study local adaptation of Pinus cembra at the timberline.
  • Arabis Symposium, 2018, Köln, Germany. Oral presentation. Rellstab, Zoller, Tedder, Gugerli, Shimizu, Holderegger, Widmer & Fischer: Parallel local adaption to heterogeneous alpine environments in three distinct Brassicaceae species.
  • Invited speaker at the Symposium "Genomic Basis of Climate Adaptation", 2018, Frankfurt, Germany. Rellstab: Towards predictive genomics – Adaptation of oaks (Quercus spp.) to present and future climatic conditions.
  • Invited talk at University of Marburg (Kolloquium "Ökologie Naturschutz Biodiversität"), 2018, Germany. Rellstab: Towards predictive genomics – Adaptation of oaks (Quercus spp.) to present and future climatic conditions.
  • Forum für Wissen 2017, Birmensdorf, Switzerland. Invited talk. Rellstab, Fischer, Csencsics, Gugerli, & Holderegger, R., 2017: Bedeutung der Genomik und lokalen Anpassung in der Naturschutzgenetik.
  • IUFRO 125th Anniversary Congress 2017, Freiburg, Germany. Oral presentation. Rellstab, Zoller, Brodbeck & Gugerli: Using transcriptome sequencing and exome capture to study local adaptation of Pinus cembra at the colonization front.
  • ESEB 2017, Groningen, Netherlands. Oral presentation. Rellstab, Zoller, Brodbeck & Gugerli: Using transcriptome sequencing and exome capture to study local adaptation of Pinus cembra at the colonization front.
  • Invited talk at University of Zürich (BEES seminar), 2017, Switzerland. Rellstab & Gugerli: Towards predictive genomics – Adaptation of oaks (Quercus spp.) to present and future climatic conditions.
  • Invited talk at the GDC Symposium 2016, Zürich, Switzerland. Rellstab, Zoller, Walthert, Lesur, Pluess, Graf, Bodénès, Sperisen, Kremer & Gugerli: Signatures of local adaptation in candidate genes of oaks (Quercus spp.) in respect to present and future climatic conditions.
  • IUFRO Genomics and Forest Tree Genetics 2016. Oral presentation. Rellstab, Zoller, Walthert, Lesur, Pluess, Graf, Bodénès, Sperisen, Kremer & Gugerli: Signatures of local adaptation in candidate genes of oaks (Quercus spp.) in respect to present and future climatic conditions.

Supervision of students/staff and hosting of guest scientists

  • Fellowships: Lars Opgenoorth (2019)
  • Guest scientists: Sabrina Träger (2020), Alicja Babst-Kostecka (2018, 2019), Charalambos Neophytou (2018)
  • PostDocs/Scientific staff: Deborah Leigh (2021-present), Benjamin Dauphin (2018-2021), Christian Sailer (2017)
  • PhD students: Aude Rogivue (2014-2018, co-supervision), Katja-Riikka Louhi (2008-2011, co-supervision)

  • Scientific assistants: Cristina Haldemann (2022-2023)

  • Technicians: Lenka Mateju (2018-2019)

  • Master students: Felix Zimmermann (2023), Nicolas Dörig (2021), Oliver Reutimann (2018-2019), Catherine Folly (2013, co-supervision), Marloes Caduff-Kinkel (2006, co-supervision), Christoph Tellenbach (2004, co-supervision)
  • Guest students: Michaela Volekova (2015)
  • Internships: Maike Notter (2023), Murtaza Shah (2022), Janis Signer (2022), Stephanie Jud (2020), Jules Peter (2019-2020), Oliver Reutimann (2019), Andreas Bühler (2015), Catherina Folly (2014), Dino Wirz (2014), Karin Moosbrugger (2014), Luzia Oeschger (2014), Melody Schmid (2014)

Organization of symposia, workshops, schools, and webinars

  • Co-organizer of the Evoltree Online Seminar Series "Genetic and genomic approaches to studying communities". 2022. YouTube.
  • Co-organizer of the Evoltree Conference "Genomics and Adaptation in Forest Ecosystems" at WSL Birmensdorf, Switzerland. 2021. YouTube.
  • Co-organizer of the Evoltree Online Seminar Series "Genomics in Practice". 2021. YouTube.
  • Co-organizer of the Evoltree Online Seminar Series "Adaptation to climate change". 2021. YouTube.
  • Co-organizer of the Evoltree Online Seminar Series "Polygenic Adaptation". 2020. YouTube.
  • Co-organizer of the Symposium "Detecting the Genomic Signal of Polygenic Adaptation and the Role of Epistasis in Evolution" at the University of Zürich, Switzerland". 2017.
  • Co-organizer of the Summer School on "Integrated methods to detect polygenic adaptation from genomic data" at WSL in Birmensdorf, Switzerland. 2017.
  • Co-organizer of the Arabis Workshop 2013 in Birmensdorf, Switzerland.
  • Co-organizer and webmaster of the 7th Symposium on Cladocera in Herzberg, Switzerland. 2005.

Teaching activities

  • Tree Genetics - Consepts and Applications, ETH, Zürich, Switzerland (2023-present)
  • Adaptation of Environmental Genomics, WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland (2020-present).
  • FoWaLa course "Genetik der Waldbäume – Relevante Aspekte für aktuelle Fragen der Waldbewirtschaftung", Zürich, Switzerland (2023).
  • Winter School in Landscape Genetics, WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland (2016-2018).
  • PEAK course (2013) "Auswirkungen der Re-Oligotrophierung auf Ökologie, Artenvielfalt und Funktion der Seen", Eawag, Dübendorf, Switzerland. Module: "Zooplankton: Fallbeispiel Daphnien".
  • Teaching assistant in "Aquatic ecology" and "Lake biology" at ETH Zürich, Switzerland (2004-2006).

Reviews

Web of Science

  • Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
  • Agence National Recherche (ANR) France
  • Annals of Forest Science
  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Aquatic Sciences
  • Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
  • Chemosphere
  • Ecological Monographs
  • Environmental Chemistry Letters
  • ERC Advanced Grant “Evolutionary, Population, and Environmental Biology”
  • Estonian Research Council
  • Evolutionary Applications
  • Forests
  • Frontiers in Plant Science
  • Global Change Biology
  • Heredity
  • Hydrobiologia
  • Icelandic Research Fund
  • Journal of Limnology
  • Journal for Nature Conservation
  • Journal of the North American Benthological Society
  • Limnology & Oceanography
  • Molecular Biology Reports
  • Molecular Ecology
  • Molecular Ecology Resources
  • Nature Climate Change

  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

  • Naturwissenschaften – The Science of Nature
  • New Phytologist
  • Plants People Planet
  • PLOS ONE
  • Revista de Biologia Tropical
  • Silvae Genetica
  • Tree Genetics & Genomes
  • Trees

Member of

  • Alpine Forest Genomics Network (AForGeN)Arabis Network
  • European Society of Evolutionary Biologists (ESEB)
  • EvolTree

  • Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution (SMBE)

  • Swiss Forest Lab

Projects

Publications